1. education
2. school

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact:
Jessica Davis
jdavis@bgcec.com
850-862-1616
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE EMERALD COAST CELEBRATES
LOCAL YOUTH WITH NATIONAL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB WEEK
Clubs across the country to open their doors for communities to enjoy the Club experience
FORT WALTON BEACH, FL, (MARCH 18, 2015) – On March 22 – 28, 2015, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
joins more than 4,100 Boys & Girls Clubs across America and on BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military
installations with its annual celebration of National Boys & Girls Club Week. The week-long celebration calls
attention to the important role Boys & Girls Clubs play to enable nearly 4 million young people each year to
achieve great futures.
This year's theme – ‘Open the Door. Take the Tour' – encourages communities, families, friends and supporters of
its Club members to experience first-hand how Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is making a difference in
the lives of young people. Each of the nine Boys & Girls Clubs along the Emerald Coast have a week of activities
planned. To learn more, contact your local Club.
“Our youth are the heart of the community and it’s our responsibility to provide a place that will positively
influence and guide them during critical out-of-school hours,” said Shervin Rassa, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the
Emerald Coast. “More than 11 million youth have no place to go after school and Boys & Girls Club offer a place
where kids can learn, grow and be successful in school and life. Boys & Girls Club Week is a great time to see how
we impact the lives of young people through programs aimed to promote academic success, a healthy lifestyle
and good character and leaderships skills.”
During the weeklong celebration, participants can also visit greatfutures.org/bgcweek to take a virtual tour of
Boys & Girls Clubs. Virtual tour participants are eligible to enter a contest for a chance to win a $250 Jo-Ann
Fabric and Craft Stores gift card.
Learn more about programs and activities offered by contacting a Boys & Girls Club near you. For a listing of Clubs
or more information, visit www.EmeraldCoastBGC.org or call 850.862.1616.
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Mission: To inspire and empower all young people to achieve their full potential.
Vision: Improving lives of all Emerald Coast youth as the premier youth development organization.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast serves youth ages 5 to 18 by providing guidance-oriented character development
programs conducted by trained, youth development professionals. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast encompasses 9
Clubs and serves over 2,000 youth across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties. For more information call
850-862-1616 and visit online at www.EmeraldCoastBGC.org.